Watchtower Study, “Article 6”, Week of April 6-12, 2026, How to Help Our Non-Witness Family Members, Answers.

Watchtower Study, “Article 6”, April 6-12, 2026, How to help our non-Witness family members, Answers.

“Let us not neglect to do what is right” (GAL. 6:9).

1, 2. Why might our relationship with our family members be affected when we learn the truth?

It often happens that when we learn the truth, we feel very happy and want to share it immediately with our family. That's perfectly natural because, as Mark 5:19 says, when Jehovah does something good for us, we feel the desire to tell others. But, of course, they don't always react the way we expect.

Some family members may feel uncomfortable or perhaps think we're exaggerating. Sometimes, even in our enthusiasm, we can speak to them too forcefully and, without realizing it, make them uncomfortable.

This suggests that good intentions alone are not enough; we also need tact and patience. Therefore, we must find ways to explain our beliefs calmly and respectfully.

3. What will we see in this article?

In this article we will look at four ideas that can greatly help us in our relationship with family members who are not Witnesses.

First, we will see how compassion motivates us to treat them with love and patience, even if they show no interest in the truth. Second, we will analyze how to react if they speak to us negatively or critically.

Third, we will see why it is so important to be patient and not lose hope that one day they will be able to serve Jehovah. And fourth, we will talk about practical ways to show them that we truly love them.

All this makes us think that helping our relatives is not just a matter of preaching to them, but of showing with our actions the kind of person Jehovah is helping us to be.

Compassion motivates us to help them

4. How did Jesus treat those who were not interested in his message?

In Luke 13:6-9, we see how Jesus compared himself to a worker who keeps tending a fig tree so that it will bear fruit. This shows that he didn't give up easily on people. In fact, he had already been preaching to the Jews for more than three years, and yet he was still trying to help them. And why was he so patient? Because he understood their situation and felt compassion for them.

This leads us to believe that when our family members don't seem interested in the truth, they may also be influenced by their environment or by misconceptions. Instead of becoming frustrated, we can try to understand them in our daily lives. This helps us maintain a loving and patient attitude.

5. Why did Jesus feel compassion for the Jews?

Jesus knew they weren't receiving good spiritual guidance. In Mark 6:34, he says he saw them as "sheep without a shepherd." The religious leaders weren't really helping them draw closer to God. That's why Jesus felt compassion for them and cared so much for them.

Even shortly before his death, he wept over Jerusalem, as Luke 19:41-44 recounts, because he knew that many would not accept the message. This shows how much he cared about people.

This leads us to believe that when we look at our family members with empathy, we stop seeing only their rejection and begin to see their circumstances. In the congregation, we learn that this compassion motivates us to continue helping them with love.

6. Why should we be patient with our non-Witness family members? (Galatians 6:9).

Galatians 6:9 encourages us not to grow weary of doing what is right. And that applies especially when dealing with family members who haven't yet accepted the truth. Sometimes it can take years before they change their minds, but we remember that many of us were also once "without God and without hope," as Ephesians 2:12 says. Someone was patient with us and didn't give up.

This makes us think that we too can show that same patience with our family in daily life. Continuing to treat them with love and respect can gradually open their hearts. And even if change takes time, knowing that we are imitating Jehovah’s patience fills us with satisfaction.

IF THEY SPEAK TO US OR TREAT US IN A NEGATIVE WAY

7. Why might it be that Jesus' half-brothers did not demonstrate faith in him?

Jesus' half-brothers probably heard about the miracles he performed, but still, as John 7:5 says, they did not believe in him.

The Bible, in John 9:18-22, mentions that some Jews did not accept him because they were afraid of what people would think. Others simply thought, “We have known him since childhood,” as Mark 6:1-4 says.

This makes us think that something similar might be happening with our family members. Since they've known us all our lives, they might find it hard to believe that we now have such a strong faith. Instead of getting upset, we can remember that changing one's way of thinking takes time.

8. What might lead our family members to speak to us or treat us negatively?

In some cases, family members may think that we are taking religion too seriously. For example, in Mark 3:21, some of Jesus’ relatives went so far as to say that he was “out of his mind.” Why did they think that?

Because Jesus was so busy preaching that sometimes he didn't even have time to eat. Perhaps they thought he had become a fanatic. Something similar can happen today. Our family members may worry or think we are exaggerating.

This makes us think that it's important to demonstrate through our actions that we remain balanced individuals. When they see us fulfilling our responsibilities and maintaining a reasonable attitude, they may gradually change their opinion.

9. What can help our family members change their opinion about Jehovah’s Witnesses? (1 Peter 3:1, 2; see also the pictures.)

One of the things that can most help change the opinion of our family members is our conduct. 1 Peter 3:1, 2 mentions that some people can be won over “without words,” simply by the good conduct of a Christian.

For example, a Christian wife can show consideration for her non-Witness husband by balancing her spiritual activities. Perhaps she will preach when he is busy or not at home. This shows that she respects his feelings.

This makes us think that small acts of love and flexibility can have a big impact. In daily life, when our family members see our kindness, they may begin to see our faith in a new light.

ADDITIONAL COMMENT

Our good conduct can change the opinion of our family members. According to 1 Peter 3:1, 2, many people come to appreciate a Christian's faith by observing their respectful and loving behavior. When they see that we remain balanced and considerate, they may begin to view our religion more positively.

ILLUSTRATION

Series of images: 1. A sister prepares a bag of food and a thermos of coffee for her husband, who is not a Witness, to take to work. 2. Later, the sister is preaching from house to house with another sister and shows a woman a Bible verse on her phone.

If we treat our spouse with kindness and gentleness, perhaps he or she will change their opinion about Jehovah's Witnesses. (See paragraph 9.)

10. How can we imitate Jesus' example when we are criticized?

Jesus didn't feel the need to respond to every criticism he heard. In Matthew 11:19, some accused him of eating and drinking too much, but he didn't argue. Rather, he let his actions speak for themselves. Furthermore, his life demonstrated balance. For example, he attended a wedding in Cana, as we see in John 2:2. That showed he didn't live an extreme life.

This leads us to believe that when our family members criticize us, sometimes the best response isn't to argue, but to continue demonstrating through our way of life that serving Jehovah makes us happy and balanced. In time, our actions can be more convincing than any argument.

LET US BE PATIENT AND NOT LOSE HOPE

11. How did Jesus treat his brothers?

Jesus showed great patience with his own brothers. Although they were close to him during his ministry, they did not believe in him at first. Even when they witnessed miracles, as in Cana, according to John 2:11, 12, they did not demonstrate faith.

However, Jesus did not break off his relationship with them. Years later, he was still speaking to them kindly, as we see in John 7:5-8. This suggests that even if our family members don't respond to our message now, it doesn't mean they never will.

In the congregation we learn that maintaining a respectful and loving relationship can prepare the ground for them to one day listen with a more open heart.

12. What helps us not to lose hope that some family members will take Jehovah's side?

Something that helps us not to lose hope is remembering how merciful Jehovah is. The Bible shows that many people will still have opportunities to take his side.

For example, Revelation 17:16 speaks of the destruction of false religion. Perhaps, when that event occurs, some family members will remember the things we told them about the Bible, which could motivate them to learn more.

Furthermore, when they go through difficult times, our expressions of love can touch their hearts. This makes us realize that we never know when an experience might awaken their spiritual interest. That's why we continue to treat them with kindness and hope.

LET'S SHOW THEM THAT WE LOVE THEM

13. Although we are busy serving Jehovah, what do we not want to do?

In Matthew 7:12, Jesus taught the principle of treating others as we would like to be treated. So, even though we are very busy serving Jehovah, we don't want our family members to think that we no longer have time for them.

This makes us think that, if we were in their shoes, we would like to feel that our family still cares about us. That's why we look for ways to show them affection. Sometimes it can be something simple, like calling them, visiting them, or spending time with them.

In our congregation, we learn that balance is important. When our family members see that we still value our relationship with them, they are more likely to respect our beliefs.

ADDITIONAL COMMENT

Even though we are busy serving Jehovah, we don’t want our family members to feel that we no longer care about them. Following the principle at Matthew 7:12, we look for ways to show them love and attention, so they can see that we still value our relationship with them.

14, 15. What is one way to show our non-Witness family members that we love them? Give an example.

A simple way to show love is to stay in touch with our family. We can tell them how we're doing, send them photos, or even write them a short, loving note. These gestures show that we're thinking of them.

Anna's example illustrates this well. When her family became concerned about her becoming a Witness, she continued to visit them and spend time with them. She even invited them to meet her friends in the congregation. In time, her family saw that she was happy and stopped worrying so much.

This leads us to believe that when our family members see that our life is stable and happy, it can reassure them and improve the relationship.

16. How did Jesus show his concern for his brother James? (See also the footnote.)

Jesus showed that his brothers were important to him. After his resurrection, he appeared personally to his brother James, as 1 Corinthians 15:7 says. That gesture surely had a great impact on him.

Imagining how James felt helps us understand the power of a genuine expression of interest. That encounter likely contributed to his later conviction that Jesus was the Messiah.

This makes us think that when we show our family members they are still important to us, it can touch their hearts. Sometimes, a gesture of interest or affection can have more impact than many words.

17. How can we apply what Romans 12:15 says? (See also the image.)

Romans 12:15 encourages us to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. This principle is very helpful in our relationships with family members who do not share our faith.

For example, if a family member has a baby, we can congratulate them and share their joy. And if they are going through a difficult time, such as the loss of a loved one, we can offer comfort and support.

This makes us think that being present during important moments in their lives demonstrates genuine love. In daily life, our calls, visits, or messages can show them that we are there for them when they need us most.

ILLUSTRATION

The sister in the previous pictures is taking a selfie with her husband and mother-in-law, who are not Jehovah's Witnesses. Her mother-in-law is in a wheelchair.

If we stand by our family members when they need us most, perhaps they will change their attitude toward us and our religion. (See paragraph 17.)

18. How can we imitate the disciple Andrew?

The disciple Andrew set a good example for us. When he found the Messiah, he immediately went to find his brother Peter to introduce him, as John 1:40-42 says.

We can imitate that spirit by inviting our family members to meet the brothers and sisters in the congregation. For example, we could invite them to a meal or a special meeting at the Kingdom Hall.

When they see that we Witnesses are ordinary, kind, and happy people, it can help them feel more comfortable. This makes us think that introducing them to our spiritual friends can be a simple way to bring them closer to the truth.

19. How should we treat our family members even if they do not fully understand some of our beliefs? (1 Peter 3:15).

According to 1 Peter 3:15, we should treat others with gentleness and deep respect. This advice is especially important when dealing with our family members.

Even if they don't understand why we stop participating in certain traditions or celebrations, what they will remember most is how we treated them. This leads us to believe that respect and kindness can leave a very positive impression.

For example, even if we don't participate in certain holidays, we can look for other opportunities to visit them or share a meal with them. In daily life, these moments can strengthen family relationships.

LET'S NOT GIVE UP

20. Why is it so encouraging to think about the example of Santiago?

The example of James is very encouraging. Although he was Jesus' brother, he did not take advantage of the opportunity to follow him during his ministry. However, he later became a faithful disciple, as mentioned in Galatians 1:18, 19.

Over time, he even wrote an inspired letter containing teachings very similar to the Sermon on the Mount. This suggests that it can take years for a person to change their way of thinking.

In the congregation we learn that Jehovah is patient and gives opportunities. Knowing that someone so close to Jesus changed over time encourages us not to lose hope for our families.

21. Why should we not give up on our non-Witness family members?

Despite all our efforts, some family members may not change their attitude. Even so, we must not give up. Every time we treat them with love, we are imitating Jehovah and Jesus, as Luke 6:33-36 says.

This makes us think that our actions can leave a lasting impression. Even if they don't react now, perhaps in the future they will remember our kindness and the things they learned about the Bible.

In our daily lives, continuing to show them love demonstrates that our faith is genuine. And who knows, perhaps one day we will have the joy of seeing them accept the truth and serve Jehovah along with us.

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

How does compassion motivate us to help our non-Witness family members?

We are motivated because, like Jesus, we try to understand their situation and remember that they may need time to overcome prejudices. This compassion compels us to treat them with love and patience.

Why should we be patient and not lose hope?

Because Jehovah is very merciful and people can change over time, just as happened with James, the brother of Jesus.

How can we show our non-Witness family members that we love them?

We can show it by staying in touch with them, being present at important moments in their lives, and always treating them with respect and affection.